RP:Freedom Is The Power To Choose Our Own Chains

Part of the What You Leave Behind Arc

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

Summary: During Khitti's early morning exercising with Seika, Kelovath happens upon her on the beach. The two formally meet, not having been in each other's presence since Frostmaw's war against the xenophobic frost giants, Kelovath reunites with Seika, and the three discuss future things that might help those fighting against Kahran.

Sandy Beach, Cenril

It was rather early in the morning; the sun had just begun to touch the Cenrili waves as they ebbed and flowed along the shoreline. Khitti--dressed in her comfortable, yet warm maternity clothes--was in the midst of doing some yoga (the ones that her heavily pregnant body would allow anyway), her bare feet dug into the sand beneath her. Occasionally, she would shift her position, stretching her form in the way the position called for, then held her body there, doing her best to focus on the waves and meditate in between poses. “Do you think I should take up ballet, Seika?” Tenbatsu Kaji floated a foot or so away in front of Khitti, giving the redhead room as she went about her less strenuous exercises. The sword’s golden aura shone a little brighter, then shifted to an orange hue, as the holy sprite within spoke to Khitti, though the woman was met with nothing but silence. “I’ll have to find someone that can teach me, I suppose. I wonder if it’s been long enough that I could go back to theater here. There’s plenty of dancers that work there. At any rate, it should prove useful with helping my balance after this kid is born.” The sword pulsed its orange light again in agreement.

Dressed in a plain set of robes, hood down to enjoy the rising sun and cool wind skirting off the waves, Kelovath walked along the beach in silence. The paladin was clearly in his own little state of mind, otherwise he would have been able to feel the presence of Seika. They didn't spend much time together, but he'd been around the spirit a few times before rescuing her from Trist'oth. When he finally did notice someone else on the beach, his first instinct was to turn around, but the sight was...Odd, at first glance. An awkwardly large woman was doing strange movements and stretches on the beach, while a colorful light swayed around her. It sounded like she was talking too. Who could turn down approaching such an interesting sight? He continued on, at least until he knew what the light was. Who the light was. Softly, "Seika." Whispered with a smile. She was safe. And now watching over...Oh, she's pregnant. Understandably awkward shaped. His legs continued to carry him toward the woman and her weapon. "Hello, Seika." He greeted, then turned toward Khitti. "And hello to you, miss."

[Kelovath is coming.] As Seika spoke to Khitti, the redhead switched her position to one where she was on one leg, her balance obviously a little wobbly. “What do you mean ‘Kelovath is coming’? Kelovath isn’t here. He’s not been seen in months. I mean, if he’s coming back that would be great because I really need to talk to him, but…” The top-heavy female wobbled a bit more, her concentration off. [I mean, he’s right behind you. Literally walking down the beach behind you.] Olive-green eyes went wide, “What?!”, and Khitti promptly fell into the sand on her backside. Kelovath would greet the two of them a few moments later and Khitti could only blink up at him. “H-hi.” It was Kelovath. -The- Kelovath. She wasn’t as starstruck as Rorin typically was with Lionel; there was a little bit of fear there too leftover from the first time she met him. It tends to happen when the first time you meet a paladin is also when you’re a vampire and that holy aura of theirs hurts you just a wee bit. The sword glowed warmly at the paladin’s acknowledgement, and thanks to that bond the sword and paladin once had, the sprite spoke to him, [Hello, Kelovath.]

His first reaction was to attempt to catch the pregnant woman, but she was clearly too far away. She didn't seem hurt, so he'd continue to keep a smile present. Memory of Khitti was...Well, not there. Being a paladin, he could sense a vampire, but she was no longer that. A hand is extended out to Khitti, "Need some help up or...?" Whether the offer was accepted or not, he would look to the weapon, "I see you've found someone else to watch over." He was thankful for that, given his relationship with Arkhen. Being in possession of a Cyris blessed item could cause some tension between the Gods. Or it may not. Hard telling with those guys. "Never did get the chance to say this earlier, but thank you, Seika. You know, for not letting me die." He chuckled softly, even at such a negative topic. Turning back to Khitti now, "I must say, you do look familiar, but I can't for the life of me..."

Khitti no longer had the taint of undeath on her, for the holy fire death given to her by Arkhen himself amongst other components of her vampirism cure had sought to cleanse that entirely, but perhaps Kelovath sense some sort of faint traces of dark magic thanks to her missions to the Shadow Plane? Or perhaps vague remnants of her necromancy. Whatever the case, she was neither a vampire nor a necromancer now and she readily took his hand, “Thanks.” It’d take a moment for her to find stable ground again, and then Khitti would nod at Kelovath, “Some dwarves in Craughmoyle got ahold of Seika after the two of you were separated. They tried giving the sword away as a reward for a fight in the Redskull Trophy Ring there. The drow matron tried to steal the sword, but it came to me instead and has been with me ever since.” She mustered a smile now for the paladin and Seika would give off that glow again in agreement. [Khitti will take a bit of work, but we’re getting there. Her belief in others and the gods, and her fighting skills, are perfectly fine, but believing in herself is entirely lacking. And, you’re quite welcome, Kelovath.] Khitti couldn’t help but stick out her tongue at the sword before returning her attention to the follower of Arkhen, “We never formally met. We were there together in the park when Balgruuf and his army let loose a rain of corpses and cauldrons of blood, during Frostmaw’s war. I believe you went with those to be healed in the Dancing Destrier and I went with the team north, who would end up becoming ambushed. After that--” Khitti squinted a bit in thought, “--the last time I saw you was at Hildegarde’s coronation with that deluded she-beast Josleen. I wasn’t as I am now, back then. I doubt Seika would’ve ever come to me, even if I’d done more praying than I have recently. I’m Khitti, as Seika said.”

The paladin grinned at the obvious friendship building between woman and weapon. Strange thing to think of, but, this is Hollow. "Frostmaw's War, yes. Just recently I revisited that campsite. It's...Troubled. As expected. A lot of memories there for me, as well. Good, bad, most I'd rather forget." A careless shrug followed, then laugher at the mention of Josleen. "She-beast. I...I'm not sure I can agree with that, but I'll take your word. Her actions as of late do seem beastly. Careless, even. The witch that she burned...I never believed Josleen would ever be capable of allowing something like that to happen. Macon...Larket has changed her." His thoughts wandered back to his time with Josleen. Was she too far gone? He believed this was mostly Macon's doing, but there may be something more. "Anyway, Khitti. It is a pleasure to meet you, formally. And I'm sure Seika chose you for a reason. Whatever you may have been, it's clear Seika saw more than your previous self. I believe I was merely a vessel to Seika's freedom. And it seems her freedom carried to you." A strong breeze came through from the mighty ocean and the paladin took a deep breath. To Seika, "I don't suppose you are sharing your experiences with Redovian? Khitti could learn much from that man. Not so much the end of his life, but he did some good. In a way, you've saved me twice, but I think that was mostly Red."

Khitti frowned at the mention of the Xalious area being troubled again, but that was to be expected with Kahran’s attempts at executing everyone, then frowned even more still at the talk of Josleen. “She-beast might be a little strong, but now that she’s a mother, her bond with Macon is pretty much unbreakable.” She didn’t want to entirely destroy his hope of turning Josleen back to the side of good though, and offered a faint smile, “I’m sure if anyone can talk some sense into her, it’s probably you. I’m sure there’s some good left in her still. It’s just hard to keep that in mind sometimes with the things that’s happened since you’ve been gone.” Khitti fell silent as Kelovath shifted his attention to Seika, to which the sprite replied, [There’s not been any time, unfortunately, to tell maybe stories of the past. Kahran’s forces seek to destroy all of Lithrydel and I’ve been needing to get Khitti ready to fight properly, or at least start her on things. More will come when her pregnancy ends. She says she’d like to become a priestess of Cyris, but I know she wouldn’t be content to sit around in a temple all day. She has hope and light and yearns for freedom not only for herself, but for her family and everyone in this realm. I think she’d be much better suited as a paladin, like yourself, but that takes time--time that we may not have.] Khitti side-eyed the ocean, that frown of hers never fading, “I was going to try to find you. Or, at least get word to you somehow. Lithrydel needs hope now more than ever, and I thought the paladins, and myself, and some of the other followers of the realm’s gods could act as a beacon of light. I was going to get us all together for a meeting eventually when time allowed. I spoke to Zahrani, who is a paladin of Cyris. She seemed… a little wary about it, but did agree with the fact that if we don’t keep hope alive, we won’t win this war. None of us will have our freedom if we don’t.”

Kelovath wondered if it were possible to bring Josleen back from whatever it is she's going through. He had hope, as always, but remained unsure. Or even motivated. Macon may be the King, but Josleen always had a head for politics. Surely the treaty signed between Frostmaw and Larket had the whispers of Josleen between the pages. Kelovath's capture basically was the main term of the negotiations. Still, time will tell. "Larket has fallen on hard times, yes. Seems all of Hollow is in trouble. There isn't much I can do about -all- of that, but..." His gaze shifted from Khitti, to Seika, then back to Khitti. "If Seika believes that you have the potential to become a paladin, then that may be the best path. More importantly, I would like to know what you wish to do. Gather the paladin's, sure. But to what end? Do you have a plan? A meeting place? The mind set to take control of said meeting? A gathering of that kind, with the different views on religion, can be dangerous." Looking to Seika, "You follow someone so young, and believe in her so greatly. That must be expressed to the others." His eyes lowered and narrowed, the man clearly considering something. "Hildegarde should also be there...I'll have to bring Marcel too, I suppose. Kid needs to figure something out in his life..." His head shook, knocking away whatever thought was creeping up next. "Let's start small, Khitti. Forget about the meeting, for now. I want to know more about you. Why a priestess? Why Cyris?" A nod was given to Seika, offering no disrespect. It was only a question. Don't smite me! "Seika came to you, but why do you think she did?"

Khitti’s lips parted as Kelovath started rattling off question after question, though not a sound came out, the barrage having left her at a loss for what to say. A smirk would soon find Khitti’s lips at the mention of her age however and it was then that she’d speak up, “Thirty-one isn’t that young. I was forced to grow up at an early age. Even though some of that childishness lingered over the years, during my tenure here in Lithrydel, it’s definitely waned.” Brand’s constant chiding helped a lot, amongst other things. “A priestess because I’m worried I’d not be able to live up to Cyris’ standards as a paladin, despite what Seika thinks. Though, the fact that I wouldn’t just be able to sit around in a temple all day is true. I’m a fighter. I’ve always been a fighter, whether with words, weapons, or magic.” She shrugged, then motioned to Seika to come here. When the sheathed sword was in place in the sand, Khitti would use it for a bit of aid in helping her stand--even just the exercising she was doing was enough to tire her out. “Look, a lot’s happened to me over the past two years. I -died-, Kelovath. I was a vampire and I found a cure. Part of it was Arkhen’s magic, the rest of it was not as savory. But it worked, and Arkhen gave me a chance. He -forgave- me for the things I’d done and what I’d become. When I came back, and after I got my memory back, I started praying. To Arkhen. To Loda. To Cyris. To any of them that wasn’t Vakmathras or Delisha that’d hear me. I would dedicate myself to both Arkhen and Cyris if I could, but I’m new to this and I still don’t know how all of this works--I didn’t even believe in the gods until I died and came back! But, the fact of the matter is that Cyris was the one that answered. I don’t necessarily think that Arkhen just outright ignored me. Maybe his part in my life was finished. He helped bring me back and gave me purpose. Now I feel like that purpose is to try to help everyone get the freedom and independence that they deserve and need. There’s a war going on and it’s much bigger than anything going on in Larket or any other one region. People are dying everywhere because of Kahran and people are losing hope that they’ll ever be free of it again. I’ve been beholden to enough evil things in my life to know that losing hope can kill just as fast as any weapon or bit of magic. I respect the rest of the gods, and what they do--even Vakmathras to an extent because death -does- come for all eventually--but right now, it feels like Cyris is the one calling to me and I think it’d be that way even if Seika hadn’t shown up and chosen me. I think Seika came to me -because- she could sense that need to break the chains Kahran’s put on everyone.”

Kelovath listened closely to the girl's rant. Her age surprised him, but his expression didn't change throughout. Cloth-covered arms lifted and crossed over one another and as she neared the end of her experiences, he smiled. And nodded in understanding. Allowing Khitti to take a breath, the man looked to Seika, "You're right. A paladin is a good choice." Back to Khitti. "You have a fighter's spirit in you, Khitti. Becoming a priest would...It would be boring, to be blunt. I live for Arkhen, because of Arkhen, but how I worship him is not inside of a closed off temple. I do it with my body. I throw myself at any force of evil and believe that Arkhen, should he decide it, that I survive it to continue my worship of him. I believe you to be the same way. But..." He stopped quickly, almost like a father explaining something to his child. "This will not be easy, Khitti. Nothing will be easy again, should this path be chosen. Seika seems to be your guiding light. Trust her and believe in her. Believe in yourself. Most of all, believe in Cyris. He has chosen you for...Something. It'll never be completely clear where your path leads, but, isn't that kinda the fun of it all?" He laughed at that, knowing full well how confusing this whole, paladin, blind-follower-of-some-higher-power, can be. "As for your suggestion on gathering some paladins together, I believe that would be a good start to things. And a good opportunity for you to find someone to train you. Seika, no disrespect, can only assist with so much."

Another smirk surfaced as Kelovath made his remark to Seika. [See? I told you,] the sprite said to Khitti. The redhead’s turn to listen came and she nodded along to the formerly golden paladin. “I think we should, perhaps, ask Leone to be there too. If they can be gathered, and an organization created, I think we’d thrive with more than just paladins. I’ve seen priests and priestesses do what’s necessary for their gods to get things done and they’ve got just as much of a right to be here. I think even devout followers could have a place as well, so I’m definitely in agreement on Hildegarde. She’s neither paladin nor priest, but she certainly fights and worships as if she were one.” Khitti pulled her weight off of Tenbatsu Kaji and shifted her position to better support that child she was carrying, “Give me a few weeks time to plan and find a proper place for this meeting to be held. Kahran is always watching -somehow- and I’ll need to find a place either protected enough or secret enough for this meeting to be held. If there’s any other names you can think of, then send them along and when I’m ready, I’ll send word to all of you. I’ll be sure to grab Ulah from the Temple of Light as well. I work with her in the Warrior’s Guild.” A beat. “And, I don’t expect it to be easy. Nothing up until now has been. But at least I finally feel like I’m on the right path. Things are slowly coming together, I think.” Khitti offered Kelovath a smile finally and a bow of her head, “I should return home before the Captain wakes up and finds his woman gone. It’s been a pleasure to finally meet you, Kelovath. If I’m needed, my home is the S.S. Tranquility that’s often docked not far from here, at the wharf. And if I’m not there, or the ship is gone entirely, someone at the dock will know where to forward it to.”

Kelovath had heard of Leone, but the two have yet to formally meet. But he did nod in agreement about allowing priests and devout followers. Those loyal enough to follow and worship a God should be invited. "You know more about Kahran than I do, so if he's as big of a threat as you say, then a proper plan is needed. I look forward to hearing from you, Khitti. I am excited to see where Cyris leads you." A nod to Tenbatsu Kaji. "Take care, Seika. Again, I must thank you for saving me." Back to Khitti. "I am not sure where I'll be, to be honest with you, but Seika may be able to reach out to me when everything has been decided." The paladin bowed slightly, "Until next time, Khitti." The robed paladin continued his way down the beach, enjoying the slight breeze and the sun that was now spreading its warmth across the sand.